Theater historical heroes

[MuguNiner]

1939 Fresh Face:

[CaptBeefheart]

Ernest Evans, Commander, USN, CO of the USS Johnston, a Fletcher.

When the Japanese fleet during the Battle off Samar was first sighted, Evans did not hesitate and his ship immediately headed directly towards the far superior enemy. He is reported to have told his crew over the ship's intercom: "A large Japanese fleet has been contacted. They are fifteen miles away and headed in our direction. They are believed to have four battleships, eight cruisers, and a number of destroyers. This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can."

Cheers,
CC

[MuguNiner]

1944 Belgium : He can now chew nails...

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Captain Queeg

Gotta like a guy who likes ice cream!

[Leandros]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

How about this guy? Mathew B. Ridgeway

And this is really Anthony Hopkins - isn't it...[;)]..He was at Arnhem, too.

Fred

[Leandros]

Lieutenant Leif Larsen, allegedly the most "highly" decorated naval officer of WW2. Played himself in the movie "Shetlands-gjengen" (The Shetland Gang) after the war.

52 trips to occupied Norway across the North Sea with personnel and supplies to the Norwegian resistance movement and picking up refugees and couriers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Larsen

[CaptBeefheart]

ORIGINAL: Leandros

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

How about this guy? Mathew B. Ridgeway

And this is really Anthony Hopkins - isn't it...[;)]..He was at Arnhem, too.

Fred

Not sure I can write this here, but here goes: In Korea the troops used to call him "Old Iron Tits."

Cheers,
CC

[ndworl]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Lt-Commander Eugene Esmonde 825 Squadron Fleet Air Arm

On the morning of Thursday, 12th February, 1942, Lieutenant-Commander Esmonde, in command of a Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, was told that the German Battle-Cruisers 'Scharnhorst' and 'Gneisenau' and the Cruiser 'Prinz Eugen', strongly escorted by some thirty surface craft, were entering the Straits of Dover, and that his Squadron must attack before they reached the sand-banks North East of Calais. Lieutenant-Commander Esmonde knew well that his enterprise was desperate.

Soon after noon he and his squadron of six Swordfish set course for the Enemy, and after ten minutes flight were attacked by a strong force of Enemy fighters. Touch was lost with his fighter escort and in the action which followed all his aircraft were damaged. He flew on, cool and resolute, serenely challenging hopeless odds, to encounter the deadly fire of the Battle-Cruisers and their Escort, which shattered the port wing of his aircraft.

Undismayed, he led his Squadron on, straight through this inferno of fire, in steady flight towards their target. Almost at once he was shot down: but his Squadron went on to launch a gallant attack, in which at least one torpedo is believed to have struck the German Battle-Cruisers, and from which not one of the six aircraft returned.

His high courage and splendid resolution will live in the traditions of the Royal Navy, and remain for many generations a fine and stirring memory.

Meanwhile the Germans noted:

Admiral Otto Ciliax in the Scharnhorst described "The mothball attack of a handful of ancient planes, piloted by men whose bravery surpasses any other action by either side that day".

As he watched the smoking wrecks of the Swordfish falling into the sea, Captain Hoffmann of the Scharnhorst exclaimed, "Poor fellows, they are so very slow, it is nothing but suicide for them to fly against these big ships".

Willhelm Wolf aboard the Scharnhorst wrote, "What an heroic stage for them to meet their end! Behind them their homeland, which they had just left with their hearts steeled to their purpose, still in view".

Thank you Warspite for reminding us that wars are fought by young men.

[chemkid]

.

[HansBolter]

Let's not overlook Dick O'Kane and Mush Morton:

[LST Express]

1st Lt. Andrew Jackson Lummus Jr. US Marines MOH recipient from Ennis Texas.

Citation-
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and nights, 1st Lt. Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic 1-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Lummus had inspired his stouthearted marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Not sure about posting pictures. His can be found at google.

[geofflambert]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

John Henry Towers of Rome, Georgia, which is now my hometown.

As a Commander in 1919, Towers was one of three pilots involved in the first trans-Atlantic flight. Two of the planes, including that piloted by Towers, were forced down. The third plane made the crossing.

From '39 to '42, Towers served as Aeronautics Bureau chief, pushing increased production of aircraft and pilot training. Later, he had operational commands including Commander, Air Force, Pacific Fleet.

He's in the game.

Why is he dressed like a spy?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

John Henry Towers of Rome, Georgia, which is now my hometown.

As a Commander in 1919, Towers was one of three pilots involved in the first trans-Atlantic flight. Two of the planes, including that piloted by Towers, were forced down. The third plane made the crossing.

From '39 to '42, Towers served as Aeronautics Bureau chief, pushing increased production of aircraft and pilot training. Later, he had operational commands including Commander, Air Force, Pacific Fleet.

He's in the game.

Why is he dressed like a spy?

warspite1

More to the point, why is he Admiral Sir John "Sandy" Woodward of the Falklands fame?

[geofflambert]

That's a heck of a makeup job too. Here he's in the proper uniform.

[geofflambert]

Now here's some real uniforms:

[warspite1]

Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham 20th Battalion (Canterbury Regt) 2NZEF

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[London Gazette, 14 October 1941]. Maleme, Crete, 22nd - 30th May 1941 (then a Second Lt.)

He displayed outstanding gallantry in close-quarter fighting, when blown up by two mortar shells and badly wounded. In spite of this and an attack of dysentry which reduced him to a skelatal appearance, he refused hospital treatment and carried a badly wounded man to safety when forced to retire. Eight days later he beat off an attack at Sphakia, 22 Germans falling to his accurate fire.

For the award of a Bar to the Victoria Cross

[London Gazette, 26 September 1945]. El Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt, 14th - 15th July 1942 (by now Captain)

When leading his company attacking an enemy held ridge overlooking the El-Alamein battlefield, he was wounded twice but took the objective after fierce fighting. He personally destroyed a German tank, several guns and vehicles with grenades, despite a broken arm. After his wounds were dressed, he returned to his men but was again severely wounded and unable to move.

[warspite1]

Captain Robert Sherbrooke RN

Captain Sherbrooke, was the Senior Officer in command of the destroyers escorting an important convoy bound for North Russia. On the morning of 31st December, off the North Cape, he made contact with a greatly superior enemy force which was attempting to destroy the convoy. Captain Sherbrooke led his destroyers into attack and closed the Enemy. Four times the Enemy tried to attack the convoy, but was forced each time to withdraw behind a smoke screen to avoid the threat of torpedoes, and each time Captain Sherbrooke pursued him and drove him outside gun range of the convoy and towards our covering forces. These engagements lasted about two hours, but after the first forty minutes H.M.S. Onslow was hit, and Captain Sherbrooke was seriously wounded in the face and temporarily lost the use of one eye. Nevertheless he continued to direct the ships under his command until further hits on his own ship compelled him disengage, but not until he was satisfied that the next Senior Officer had assumed control. It was only then that he agreed to leave the bridge for medical attention, and until the convoy was out of danger he insisted on receiving all reports of the action.

His courage, his fortitude and his cool and prompt decisions inspired all around him. By his leadership and example the convoy was saved from damage and was brought safely to its destination.

Sherbrooke (with eye injury received at the Barents Sea) with his wife in 1943 collecting his VC at Buckingham Palace.

[m10bob]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Captain Robert Sherbrooke RN

Captain Sherbrooke, was the Senior Officer in command of the destroyers escorting an important convoy bound for North Russia. On the morning of 31st December, off the North Cape, he made contact with a greatly superior enemy force which was attempting to destroy the convoy. Captain Sherbrooke led his destroyers into attack and closed the Enemy. Four times the Enemy tried to attack the convoy, but was forced each time to withdraw behind a smoke screen to avoid the threat of torpedoes, and each time Captain Sherbrooke pursued him and drove him outside gun range of the convoy and towards our covering forces. These engagements lasted about two hours, but after the first forty minutes H.M.S. Onslow was hit, and Captain Sherbrooke was seriously wounded in the face and temporarily lost the use of one eye. Nevertheless he continued to direct the ships under his command until further hits on his own ship compelled him disengage, but not until he was satisfied that the next Senior Officer had assumed control. It was only then that he agreed to leave the bridge for medical attention, and until the convoy was out of danger he insisted on receiving all reports of the action.

His courage, his fortitude and his cool and prompt decisions inspired all around him. By his leadership and example the convoy was saved from damage and was brought safely to its destination.

Sherbrooke (with eye injury received at the Barents Sea) with his wife in 1943 collecting his VC at Buckingham Palace.

If memory serves me right, I believe that "enemy force" included the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gniesenau.

[JeffroK]

Not good at pictures

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Kingsbury

Private Bruce Kingsbury VC

(I went to school at Kingsbury Technical School and school colours were the same as 2/14 Bn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Derrick

Tom "Diver" Derrick VC DCM )I was said his DCM was deserving of a VC but one had already been awarded in the campaign.)

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: m10bob

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Captain Robert Sherbrooke RN

Captain Sherbrooke, was the Senior Officer in command of the destroyers escorting an important convoy bound for North Russia. On the morning of 31st December, off the North Cape, he made contact with a greatly superior enemy force which was attempting to destroy the convoy. Captain Sherbrooke led his destroyers into attack and closed the Enemy. Four times the Enemy tried to attack the convoy, but was forced each time to withdraw behind a smoke screen to avoid the threat of torpedoes, and each time Captain Sherbrooke pursued him and drove him outside gun range of the convoy and towards our covering forces. These engagements lasted about two hours, but after the first forty minutes H.M.S. Onslow was hit, and Captain Sherbrooke was seriously wounded in the face and temporarily lost the use of one eye. Nevertheless he continued to direct the ships under his command until further hits on his own ship compelled him disengage, but not until he was satisfied that the next Senior Officer had assumed control. It was only then that he agreed to leave the bridge for medical attention, and until the convoy was out of danger he insisted on receiving all reports of the action.

His courage, his fortitude and his cool and prompt decisions inspired all around him. By his leadership and example the convoy was saved from damage and was brought safely to its destination.

Sherbrooke (with eye injury received at the Barents Sea) with his wife in 1943 collecting his VC at Buckingham Palace.

If memory serves me right, I believe that "enemy force" included the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gniesenau.

warspite1

Sorry no, it was Hipper and Lutzow [:)]

Scharnhorst was in the Baltic working up after repair works, and Gneisenau's career was effectively over (see Most missused and waste of resources....WW2 ships thread).